I have not used any of the name brand clear coats except Testors dullcote for several years now. My go-to for decals now is to clearcote the painted surface with Future/Pledge floor finish. I apply several fairly dry coats to the surface to build up a tack layer then progessivly add heavier coats untill I get a good gloss. I then let this set for a day or two to cure. When I apply the decals and use either mirco sol or walthers solvaset, the decals seem to melt right into the clear coat. I then will apply a seal coat of whatever clear I feel is needed (dull or gloss). Lately I have been experimenting with making my own gloss coat by adding baby powder to the Future clear coat. I have had some good results with this to the point where I may start using it on my better models.
Dan
If I plan to letter a loco or car using decals, I wait until the paint has cured completely, with no odour. Regardless of what type of paint was used, I then airbrush the item using Testor's Glosscote.
After the decals are applied and fully set, I make a second application of Glosscote to make the entire model (decals included) the same degree of glossiness.
If the item is not meant to be glossy, or as glossy, it then gets an application of either Dullcote or a muted Glosscote (Glosscote and Dullcote mixture).The car is then ready for weathering.
Wayne
I have not used Micro Satin but since it is made by Micro Scale I think it should work well.
I used the old Micto Scale gloss that was solvent based until I ran out of all the bottles I had squirreled away and now I spray Tester's Gloss Coat. I do not like using acrylis so I stick with Floquil and Scalecot.
Rick Jesionowski
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It is the old and dries completely flat. I was going to let it sit for a few days to be sure it was dry.
I would rather use Micro Satin. Will decals adhere to that as well as on the gloss?
Rick
I don't see any problem I have used different types of paint over other types as long the first coat is fully dry, ie no paint smell. Also, is your Floquil the old paint or the later version that is now enamel and dries with a shiny finish.
I am going to put decals on a locomotive that I just painted with Floquil. Since this is a flat finish I was going to use Micro Gloss on it before applying the decals. Will there be any problems applying the water based Micro Gloss over the solvent based Floquil?